To find the rate of change of the elevation with respect to the number of minutes, we need to calculate the change in elevation divided by the change in time.
- From 2 minutes to 4 minutes, the elevation changed by 26,000 - 29,000 = -3,000 ft.
- From 4 minutes to 7 minutes, the elevation changed by 21,500 - 26,000 = -4,500 ft.
- From 7 minutes to 12 minutes, the elevation changed by 14,000 - 21,500 = -7,500 ft.
Therefore, the total change in elevation is -3,000 + -4,500 + -7,500 = -15,000 ft.
The total change in time is 12 minutes - 2 minutes = 10 minutes.
The rate of change of elevation = change in elevation / change in time = -15,000 ft / 10 min = -1,500 ft/min.
Since the rate of change is negative, it means that the elevation is decreasing. Therefore, the rate of change of the elevation of the airplane with respect to the number of minutes since the plane started its descent is 1,500 ft/min.
The correct answer is C. 1,500 ft/min.
The table shows the linear relationship between the elevation in feet of an airplane as it descends and the number of minutes. What is the rate of change of the elevation of the airplane with respect to the number of minutes since the plane started its descent?
Number of minutes| 2 | 4 | 7 | 12 |
Elevation (ft)| 29,000| 26,000| 21,500| 14,000|
A. 900 ft/min
B. 1,200 ft/min
C. 1,500 ft/min
D. 1,800 ft/min
1 answer